The emergence of marine recreational drone fishing

Regional trends and emerging concerns

Bibliographic Data

ID10886644
AuthorsAlexander C Winkler (0000-0001-7864-8243, Rhodes University, corresponding author), Edward C Butler (0000-0001-6430-4589, Rhodes University, corresponding author), Colin G Attwood, CG Attwood (0000-0002-1045-3439, University of Cape Town, corresponding author), BQ Mann (0000-0002-7130-6301, South African Association for Marine Biological Research, corresponding author), Bruce Q Mann, Warren M Potts (0000-0002-6707-0383, Rhodes University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume51
Issue3
Pages638-651
Publication date2022-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAMBIO (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0044-7447 • E-ISSN: 1654-7209
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13280-021-01578-y
PMID34145559
OpenAlexW3166392144
LanguageEN
References cited56

Online evidence suggests that there has been an increase in interest of using unmanned aerial vehicles or drones during land-based marine recreational fishing. In the absence of reliable monitoring programs, this study used unconventional publicly available online monitoring methodologies to estimate the growing interest, global extent, catch composition and governance of this practice. Results indicated a 357% spike in interest during 2016 primarily in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. From an ecological perspective, many species targeted by drone fishers are vulnerable to overexploitation, while released fishes may experience heightened stress and mortality. From a social perspective, the ethics of drone fishing are being increasingly questioned by many recreational anglers and we forecast the potential for increased conflict with other beach users. In terms of governance, no resource use legislation specifically directed at recreational drone fishing was found. These findings suggest that drone fishing warrants prioritised research and management consideration

Biology · Business · Commercial fishing · Corporate governance · Drone · Economics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Fishery · Fishing · Geography · Legislation · Overexploitation · Political science · Recreation · Coastal and Marine Management · Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies · Ecology · Finance · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

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